Katsuya Uechi, master sushi chef behind LA's Katsuya restaurants, dies at 67

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Katsuya Uechi, the famed master sushi chef behind Los Angeles' Katsuya restaurants, has died. He was 67.

His restaurant group announced his death in an Instagram post late Thursday, but no cause was given.

"Katsu-San helped shape the Los Angeles sushi landscape and beyond, making Katsuya a household name. Today, we honor his life and legacy by proudly carrying forward the vision he spent a lifetime perfecting," the post read.

"Our hearts are with his loved ones and all who were fortunate to know him... Rest in peace, Chef. Your legacy lives on in every guest we welcome and every dish we serve."

Uechi's most famous dish was the iconic Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice.

He opened Sushi Katsu-ya in Studio City back in 1997 and expanded his restaurant empire from there, including locations in Brentwood and Hollywood.